William Powell

Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales

William Powell was elected an Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales in May 2011.

William is the Shadow Minister for Environment, agriculture and rural affairs.

He attended Talgarth School and Gwernyfed High School, gaining a scholarship to read Modern Languages (French and German) at Pembroke College, Oxford. He graduated in 1986 and now lives with his family on their organic farm in the Black Mountains near Talgarth, Powys.

A qualified teacher, he has taught French and German at a number of schools in Wales and the Marches. He was latterly Head of German at Hereford Sixth Form College, where he was also the European Officer.

William has served as County Councillor for Talgarth since 2004 and has been active in rural regeneration projects, including the restoration of Talgarth Mill, one of six projects across the UK to win financial support from the BIG Lottery in association with the BBC's Village SOS programme.

William is a former member and Audit Scrutiny Chair of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. Whilst on that body he was active in the campaign for direct elections to the National Park Authorities in Wales.

William was also a founding board member of Wales in Europe and currently serves as Chair of the Wales Council European Movement. In addition, William is a Council Member of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) and works closely with Liberal sister-parties across the continent.

He is a member of the FUW and was until recently Vice Chair of Tourism Partnership Mid Wales, which is based in Machynlleth. He is a Governor of Talgarth CP School and Gwernyfed High School. William is a member of the Lloyd George Society, where he also serves on the committee.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have selected Selwyn Runnett to represent the Party in Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire for the forthcoming General Election.

Selwyn Runnett is a respected local property professional and a Director within a family owned local lettings agency. Selwyn lives in Meidrim, Carmarthenshire and works from offices in both Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire. He is Chair of the Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats, is active within the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) locally and is a lay preacher.

The Welsh Government's legislation on animal welfare does not go far enough to tackle many of the issues surrounding dog breeding in Wales, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have claimed today.

The Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) aims to stop 'puppy farms', where dogs may be kept in cramped conditions with little concern for their needs. However, campaigners have continuously voiced their concerns that the proposed maximum ratio of one member of staff to every 20 dogs is still too high.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Welsh Government's U-turn on its plan to introduce table valuations for cattle culled under the bTB eradication programme and to embrace instead the Welsh Liberal Democrat position of maintaining the present system.

In the Senedd this afternoon the Welsh Government has made a statement where they have decided to stick with the current system after completing a consultation earlier this year which reintroduced the option of a table valuation system. While such a system would have reduced Welsh Government costs, it would also undervalue Wales' best cattle and see farm incomes further reduced.

Ahead of the Scottish independence referendum tomorrow, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM William Powell writes about the future for Wales...

We're facing huge constitutional change in the United Kingdom. Whether Scotland votes Yes or No, reform is coming and we must ensure that Wales is not left behind.

I hope that Scotland agrees to remain a part of the UK. We are definitely better together but we also need to promote a new union, rather than stubbornly defend the old. This is why we are calling for the implementation of the Silk Commission's proposals and establishing a UK-wide Constitutional Convention to draft a plan for a new Union.

William Powell AM has renewed his call for improved democratic accountability from Welsh National Parks to the communities they serve, as part of the Welsh Government's review into the governance of designated landscapes.

William Powell AM, Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, has called on the First Minister to meet with him and Aberystwyth student representatives to address the threats posed to community safety following the decision to switch off key CCTV cameras in the town.

William Powell AM said:

"CCTV has a vital role to play in community safety and providing an extra layer of protection to people walking through Aberystwyth late at night.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats today launched bold and comprehensive energy proposals which build a roadmap for Wales' energy future and outlines how the party would deliver on ambitious energy targets in Government.

The policy paper 'Powering Wales' Future' is ambitious for Wales, with a target to produce enough renewable and low-carbon energy to cover our needs and provide export potential by 2050. Amongst the proposals, the party calls for:

William Powell AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, has reiterated his call in the Senedd today for the Welsh Government to use the new Rural Development Plan (RDP) to deliver a dedicated Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme which will target those farming in Moorland areas (defined as the Upland above 400m).

The Liberal Democrats in Government have announced eight major renewable projects as part of electricity reforms, which will give a massive boost to green growth and green jobs.

The projects are delivering low-carbon, affordable and reliable power for the long-term that is better for the planet, consumers and the economy. By 2020, the projects will provide up to £12 billion of private sector investment, supporting 8,500 jobs and will generate clean electricity to three million homes across the country. Once built, the successful projects will reduce emissions and contribute around 14% of the renewable electricity we expect in 2020, helping the UK to meet its renewable energy target.

William Powell AM has reiterated his call for the Welsh Government to use the Rural Development Plan (RDP) to deliver a dedicated Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) support scheme which will target those farming in the Moorlands (Upland areas above 400m).